10M trees in 10 years program
Not even the pandemic can stop the Negrenses’ burning desire to preserve their green island as proven by the 10 Million in 10 for a Greener Negros movement, which has completed its target of planting 10 million trees in only six years, four years earlier than its target. in the year 2025.
The movement disclosed this on its sixth anniversary celebration with its 268 partners and supporters that was held via Zoom.
With the theme Nurturing Nature. Regenerating our Future, the movement honored its dedicated partners whose passion for Mother Earth has not waned despite the health and economic crisis that the whole world is still in, no thanks to the CoViD-19 virus.
The movement that was born in 2015 out of aspirations to bring back the forests of Negros Island to their former glory. By stepping away from mere tree planting efforts and enacting sustainable reforestation programs, the movement brings together a community of stakeholders to promote environmental protection and conservation, as well as sustainable multi sectoral development.
Founded by the country’s renewable energy leader, Energy Development Corp. in 2015, 10M in 10 has created programs that go beyond reforestation–from urban forestry to livelihood and educational programs–as a way to engage communities and industries within Negros province. All of these are done in the hopes of nurturing environmentally-conscious citizens.
One such citizen is Rene “Taty Eti” Vendiola, owner of Liptong Woodland, a sanctuary to hundreds of rare and endangered plants and trees endemic to the area. It is Vendiola’s lifelong mission to maintain the region’s biodiversity for future generations to experience.
“If you count the population of Negros we are more than a million. If each member of the family will plant five trees, then we will have five million trees. That’s several hectares combined and that’s very helpful for the environment,” said Vendiola.
Surpassing 10M goal
10M in 10 has reached its goal of planting 10 million trees within just six years.
Seedling survival rate is at 79-85 percent, and 307,552 units of carbon dioxide emissions have been sequestered.
From 90 partners in 2015, 10M in 10 is now working with 268 reforestation partners who continue to push on with their initiatives despite the pandemic.
“We have been a member of 10M in 10 since 2015, and so far, we have planted over 500,000 mangrove trees in the mudflats of Tanjay City, covering 50 hectares,” said Sidney Lee, project coordinator of the Allied Mangrove Planting Organizations, a partner of the EDC program.
“We honestly did not know how many partners it would take for us to fulfill this audacious goal but we had faith in the Negrenses. The people of Negros Island enabled me to see their deep love for the environment and for this reason, I believed that our goal was achievable,” said James Villaroman, EDC vice president and head of Strategy & Long-Term Planning,in his keynote message.
10M in 10 also organized Make it Count, a photography competition that aims to focus the spotlight on tree planting efforts and native trees across the country.
Winners are Derrick Isaac (3rd place), who took a photo of himself amidst the lush, green forests of Tanjay; Louise Justinne Ytienza (2nd place), who shot the Century Tree, the oldest in Canlaon; and Leoniel Ponce (Best Supporter), who took a photo of a delivery rider taking refuge from the midday sun under the shade of a tree.
Indeed, trees play a vital role in everyone’s lives.
“If we continue working together like what we did in the previous years, then we can take care of a broader horizon of resources, gradually replace what we’ve lost, continuously repair what has been damaged, and give back to Mother Nature to thank her for what has done for us,” said Ariel Dela Cruz, project management officer for 10M in 10.
“Let’s keep turning our dreams of a greener Negros into reality for the next generation of Negrenses, for the Philippines, and for the entire planet,” said Norreen Bautista, head of EDC’s CSR Team in Negros Island, in her closing message.
Villaroman challenged the 10M in 10 partners as they begin the next chapter of their green revolution.
“This is where your true passion for the movement’s mission will be put to the test as you all work hard to ensure that the over 10 million trees that you have planted in just six years will all grow and thrive. Or are you going to stop at 10 million trees? This is where the strong collaboration and environmental advocacy in action that Negrenses or Negrosanons are known for should stand out,” Villaroman said. (PR)
